‘I’m going to get to him:’ Virginia State University parent reacts after lockdown on Sept. 11
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A lockdown at Virginia State University has been lifted after “a potential threat” was made.
At 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, VSU announced an “urgent threat” in a social media post that the university’s campus would be closed.
Officials said no injuries or incidents have been reported in connection with the threat.
The university limited access to the campus to faculty, staff and students with a valid VSU identification only.
Students were allowed to use the dining hall but are asked to limit movement outside -- but all afternoon classes and extracurricular activities are cancelled.
VSU parent Latrece Cowell traveled for nearly an hour and a half from Hampton to make sure her son was ok.
“He's my only, and while I recognize that I have to start letting go to a certain extent, that's still mine,” said Cowell. “Wherever he is, if I can get to him, I'm going to get to him.”
Cowell said recent events across the nation make her worried and she hopes the university can figure out what’s going on.
“It’s uncomfortable with the climate of everything that's going on today,” Cowell said. “I don't want to be the one to have an unexpected or unrealistic expectation of them, of what they should be doing. I just have to right now have the faith that they’re doing the best we can.”
VSU President Makola M. Abdullah sent a letter to the university about the incident:
"Dear Trojan Family,
Today, Virginia State University—along with several other Historically Black Colleges and Universities—received a threat intended to disrupt, intimidate, and instill fear in our community. In response, we took immediate action, including a temporary campus lockdown, which has since been lifted with restrictions. Thankfully, no injuries or incidents were reported.
Let us be clear: these threats are not random. They are targeted attacks on institutions that have long stood as pillars of excellence, empowerment, and progress. HBCUs exist because we refused to be denied an education—and we thrive because we continue to rise in the face of adversity.
To those who seek to silence or scare us: we will not be intimidated. For over a century, Virginia State University and other HBCUs have stood as a beacon of knowledge, excellence, and resilience. Today’s events only reaffirm our commitment to providing a safe and empowering environment for our students, faculty, and staff.
The greatest revenge is to get an education. Every step you take forward, every class you attend, and every degree you earn is an act of resistance and triumph.
We remain in close coordination with law enforcement, and enhanced security will remain in place. As always, your safety is our top priority.
Thank you for your patience, vigilance, and unity. Together, we are—and always will be—GREATER." -- VSU President Makola M. Abdullah
Meals will be provided to students living in VSU-managed housing, with students to receive detailed instructions in a separate email.
“VSU Police, in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating the credibility of the threat received earlier today,” a VSU spokesperson said.
The university has given no word on what the potential threat could be.
